I carried a Sako 75 in 300 RUM topped with optilocks and a Leupold 4.5x14x40 for ten years. The rifle and scope weigh 9lbs 9ozs. I packed from 11k feet in Wyoming to here in Missouri. The rifle weight never really bothered me but what I did notice was I rarely missed with that rifle. I shot everything with it from prairie dogs to running antelope to deer to varmints. I have made almost all my "bragging" shots with that rifle.
Then I began reading about light rifles so I bought some finnlights. All up they weigh between 7 and 7.5 pounds. On paper they are every bit as accurate as my heavier Sako's. They are great to carry but I don't shoot them as well on game. I can't say I have ever let anything get away but some shots did not turn out as they think they would have with a heavier rifle.
My opinion only but I think a lot of guys own light rifles they don't shoot as well as a standard weight rifle. The question is how much does matter on big game?
